Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-11-23
THANKSGIVING AT WILLIAMS.
BY HERBERT NEWBURY.

s'Not much TOR which to be thank.
ful %
Mrs. Drew did not say it; she only
thought it as she went about her
preparations for the festival so dear
TO New England. "Joseph's folks
were coming TO Thanksgiving, SO ev-
erything must be in tip.top order,
woman's magic wand was yet to bring
forth the feast of fat things from the
chaos of materials. And the woman
of the wand, poor Mrs. William Drew,
was aweary OF the way since last she
mixed meat pie with especial reference
TO the taste OF her husband's brothers
family.
"You'll need an extra quantity of
sugar, this year, won't you wife ?''
vqueried Mr.. Drew, with dry humor,
noticing her sour face.
Eyes, sweets for Jcseph's folks" she
replied, sententiously.
Mr.. Drew turned away and thought
it over sadly, not bitterly 1t was
hard. Joseph's ship had sailed over
smooth seas that year. His business
had prospered, his family had been in
health; in short, they had everything
for which to be thankful, while life
had gone hard at the cid place, where
our Mrs. Drew presided. the crops had
been cut off by bugs, worms and
drought. Five hundred dollars saved
by patient industry and economy,
and carefully invested as nest egg,
was smashed-lost. Some one of the
family had been sick most of the time,
and, worst OF all. dear little Philip
had broken his wrist SO badly that
the doctor feared it would always be
stiff. William Drew truly loved his
brother Joseph, and Mrs. William as
truly Thought a great deal of him
and all mis- folks" yet it was not in
spring work for the tired and
troubled ones, with aching heads and
hearts and bones, to furnish forth the
annual feast to fortunes favorites.
1t was, in fact, quite q triumph of
Christian grace that the usual invita-
ticn had been extended and all hint
OF bard times at the fal M withheld.
"Wife," said Mr.. Drew, after his
thinking and after dinner, ''you look
kind OF tired out I've got some bust
ness over to the Corner, this after
noon; suppose You le5 the work go
and ride over with me, just for the
change and to take the air."
''That's just like man." replied
Mrs. Drew, ''to think woman can
leave her work to do itself, and get
any good out of it. What should I
come back to if go but sink full of
dirty dishes, supper to get and q
batch OF mince pies not cooked, which
ought to be ali done off and set
away"
Though the wife thus spoke, there
was look in the eyes she raised to
her husbands which said, "Thank
you, though, for asking me-"
"But you'll 60 because [ ask you to
this time,' urged the husband. "The
pies will keep, and Neil and Joe will
wash or break the dishes for you,
won't you, children ?"
Nell and Joe agreed to do it., and
their mother reluctantly changed her
dress and went.
Ii was q lovely Indian summer day,
and with q spirit somewhat soothed
by her husbands kindness end by
natures ministry Mrs. Drew spoke
out, which was much better than sui.
len thinking. civilian, I expect we
shall have more tribulations yet, I'm
so unreconciled to losing the money
and the crops, and 90 poor, dear
Philips hurt wrist, and, to tell the
whole truth, to having to work day
and night to get Thanksgiving, when
there's not much to be thankful for,
and invite Joseph's folks toit, though
do admit like your rich relations
first rate"
They never put on airs, Joseph
folks don't" replied William. '"They
just delight TO get home to the old
place. odd Oaken Bucket you
know, wife ?"
ga pump TO the sink would be more
to my mind" she replied, with q
twinkle in her fine eyes, which told
the husband she was feeling much bet
ter.
"Isn't that cur hired man, Pat,
ahead OF Us, with a wagon full of has,
kets ~ asked Mrs. Drew; as they
came to turn in the road.
"Yes, tits. And that lets the cat
out of the bag, so to speak, wife, for
it let's out my business at the Corner,
which isn't my business so much as
that OF our Good Will Society. You
wasn't at the meetings, owing to our
trials, and | thought [ wouldn't tell
->x. zz..I5